Automatic splitting machine



March 2v; 1954 H LOCKWQOD ET AL 2,670.771

' AUTOMATIC SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. so, 1949 e sheets-sheet 1 LOUIS H. LOCKWOOD HENRY M. YOHN March 2, 1954 l.. H. LocKwooD ET AL 2,670,771

AUTOMATIC SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 30, 1949 INVENToRs Louls H.| ocKwooD 9 N HENRY M.YoHN

O v ahw/@fm ATTORNEY March 2, 1954 l.. H. LocKwooD ET AL 2,670,771

AUTOMATIC SPLITTING MACHINE md Aug. 30. 1949 e shee'ts-sheet :5

INVENToRs LOUIS H. LOCKWOOD HENRY M. YOHN March 2, 1954 1 H. LocKwooD ET AL 2,670,771

AUTOMATIC SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 50, 1949 6 Shee'ZS-Sheef 4 los oa' 4 INVENTOS ouls H. LocKvyooD HENRY M. YoHN Lma- ATTORNEY March 2, 1954 l.. H. LocKwooD ET AL 2,670,771

AUTOMATIC SPLITTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 50, 1949 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORN March 2, 19,54 L. H. LocKwooD x-:T A1. 2,670,771

AUTOMATIC SPLITTING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 F'iled Aug. 30, 1949 LOUIS H. LOCKWVOOD HENRY M. YOHN Patented Mar. 2, 19,54

AUTOMATIC SPLITTING MACHINE Louis H. Lockwood, Rohrerstown, and Henry M. Yohn, Lancaster, Pa., assignors to Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania.

Application August 30, 1949, Serial No. 113,137

(Cl. 14A- 178) 13 Claims.

This invention relates to splitting machines. More particularly, it relates to splitting machines which automatically split sheets of predetermined thickness from a mat or block of cork composition or the like.

In the splitting of large mats of cork composition, the prior machines commonly employed use two horizontal rolls between which the block of composition is fed against the cutting edge of a moving endless band knife. In order to feed the material against the edge of the knife, the rolls have to exert considerable pressure on the block because of the small contact area that is developed. To improve the grip of the drive roll, it is common to score or corrugate the surface thereof. The other roll is the so-called gauge roll. The vertical distance between the gauge roll and the cutting edge of the knife determines the thickness of the sheet which is split from such a block by these prior machines. Sufficient horizontal clearance must be left between that cutting edge and the rolls at the nip to avoid jamming either the balance of the mat or the sheet being cut therefrom while the splitting operation is in progress.

There are a number of objections to the use of these prior machines. In operating each of them, at least two men have to be employed, one to feed the mat or block through the rolls and the other to catch the reduced mat and the sheet split off of it. The reduced mat must be manually returned to the feeding end of the ma chine to repeat the cycle. As the thickness of the mat decreases, the distance at the nip between the rolls has to be changed in order to maintain relatively even pressure on the block during the feeding operation. Otherwise, sheets of varying instead of uniform thickness may be obtained. The problem is intensified as the character of the material being split becomes of more compressible nature, a factor which also has to be taken into account in determining the cori rect pressure to be applied through the driving roll. Moreover, the size of the blocks of material which can be handled is limited not only by the character of these prior machines but also by the weight which the average worker in this field can conveniently handle.

In the new machine of this invention, the various foregoing difficulties are overcome. In the new machine which is automatic, an even pressure is applied over the block and higher rates of Vspeed 'are obtained in the splitting operation. Moreover, the same block is even more quickly returned for the commencement of a new cutting stroke. No manual adjustment is required as the thickness of the block is sucessively decreased. Further, in the new machine the split sheets may be maintained to closer tolerance limits with respect to the predetermined thickness than those obtained with the prior machines. Still further, in the new machine the feeding of the block is always in the proper angular relation to the cutting edge of the knife and not subject to any human error. In addition, sheets of lesser thickness can be cut uniformly in the automatic machine of this invention than is the case with the use of prior machines, and any limitation on the size of the block of material to be split is only limited in this invention by the size of the new machine.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings, which are illustrative only, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the machine of Figure 1 to an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a View in side elevation, partially in section, of the rear portion of the machine to a scale larger than Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view in front elevation of the machine, partially in section, showing essentially a carriage mechanism which conveys the mat to be split;

Figure 5 is a view in front elevation of the upper front part of the `machine shown in Figures 1 and 2 with a portion of the carriage mechanism broken away to show details of the machine;

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of the rear of the splitting knife mechanism of the machine; and

Figure 'I is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic system for operating the carriage mechanism and pressure plate and end gate lifting mechanism of the machine.

General construction A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings. The machine includes a band knife severing mechanism 2, a reciprocating carriage 3 which moves the material to be severed into cooperative relationship with the band knife severing mechanism and returns the material to its original position for severance of another sheet upon each complete cycle of reciprocation of the carriage, an antifriction supporting table 4 over which the material is moved by the carriage, and a gauge bar arrangement 5, the table l and gauge bar 5 being adjustable with respect to the band knife in order to vary the thickness of the sheet which is severed. The general arrangement is shown in Figure l, and the gauge bar is best seen in Figure 3.

The machine is mounted upon a framework which comprises vertical columns disposed at the four corners of the machine as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The columns t are connected together by horizontal cross girders l, one at the rear of the machine as shown in Figure l and one at the front of the machine as shown in Figure 2.

The band knife severing mechanism 2 is mounted upon a pair of pedestals 8 disposed on opposite sides of the machine as best shown in Figure 6. The pedestals 8 are connected together by a cross member 9.

The reciprocating carriage mechanism 3 is mounted for reciprocatory movement within a framework made up of inclined longitudinal girders lil connected at the rear of the machine by a cross girder il as shown in Figure l. The longitudinal girders if; are supported by rear brackets i2 mounted on the vertical columns t and corresponding front brackets i3 mounted on the front pair of vertical columns S. The mi" portions of the longitudinal girders it are supported by brackets ill mounted on vertical posts I5 supported by the cross member 5. This provides a solid, massive frame structure.

Inclined antifrz'cfion supporting table and gauge bar The inclined antifriction supporting table 1l over which the mat of material to be severed travels is made up of two sections as shown in Figure 3, the rear section being indicated at l5 and the front section, disposed beyond the band knife severing mechanism 2, being indicated at il'. The rear section It supports that portion of the mat which is about to be severed and carries the gauge bar 5 which supports the adjacent the line of severance, its position with respect to the cutting edge of the band knife determining the thickness of the sheet which severed. The gauge bar 5 is shown at zero setting in Figure 3. The front section Il supports the mat as it leaves the zone of the band knife severing mechanism. lt is normally fixed with respect to the band knife and needs no adjustment. The supporting table is inclined and is disposed below the reciprocating carriage 3 within the framework lilli and, as its name irnplies, constitutes an antifriction table over which the carriage 3 reciprocates carrying the mat to be severed back and forth with respect to thc cutting knife.

The rear table section i6 which carries the gauge bar 5 is mounted independently of the carriage framework le-il and is adjustable in a direction perpendicular (at right angles) to the plane of movement of the carriage 3 thus to vary the position of the table and the gauge bar with respect to the cutting edge of the band knife and thus to vary the thickness of the sheet which is severed from the mat. The rear table I6 is also adjustable along vthe direction of travel of the carriage to vary the longitudinal clearance between the gauge bar and band knife.

The rear table section i6 is shown in Figures 3 and 4. It is formed of a base plate i which extends across the machine and is of a length to extend from a position adjacent the cross member H to a position adjacent band knife i9 of the band knife severing mechanism 2. Journal plates 2i] are secured to the base plate i8 on opposite sides thereof and a plurality of rollers 2l are mounted for free rotation in the journal plates 29, the rollers 2| extending across the width of the table. They are closely spaced so as to provide a substantially continuous rolling support for the mat to be severed. The rollers 2| support the mat in a position parallel to the upper surface of the gauge bar 5 which, as shown in Figure 3, is attached to the base plate i8 at the forward end thereof, closely adjacent to the cutting edge of the band knife i9.

Mechanism is provided by which adjustment may be simply but accurately effected to vary the position of the rear table section is and its associated gauge block assembly 5 with respect to the band knife i9 in both directions parallel to the direction of travel of the carriage 3 and perpendicular thereto.

Adjustment in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the carriage is accomplished by supporting base plate i8 at its four corners on adjustable mounting posts 22, two of which are shown in Figure 3. The forward mounting post 22 shown in Figure 3 is typical of all of the posts, and reference will be made to it in the description which follows. Mounting post 22 is journalled in bearings 23 fitted into a bracket 24 secured to the cross support 9. A worm wheel 25 is keyed to the mounting post 22 and the upper end of the mounting post is threaded into a bushing 2B received within a mounting plate 2l which slidably supports the base plate I8, an opening 28 being provided in the base plate to permit limited sliding movement of the whole of the rear table section I6 in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the carriage 3, regardless of the position of perpendicular adjustment of the table section I6, as will be more fully hereinafter described. This permits the operator to adjust the elevation of the rear table section and gauge bar for the desired thickness of sheet to be severed and to adjust the longitudinal position of the gauge bar with respect to the cutting edge of the band knife. In splitting a cork composition mat, for example, the gauge bar may be positioned closer to the cutting edge of the band knife in a longitudinal direction when thin sheets are being split than when thicker sheets are being cut. When elevation of the rear table section I6 is effected to split a thicker sheet, it will be found desirable to retract the rear table section i6 rearwardly away from the cutting edge of the band knife to provide a greater space between the gauge bar and knife edge. The two should be kept as close together as possible to provide the best possible support for the mat as it is severed.

Upon rotation of the mounting posts 22 in their respective threaded bushings 26, the rear table section I6 will be raised or lowered in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement ofthe carriage. To effect such motion uniformly, the worm wheels 2o for each of the four mounting posts 22 are connected in such manner that they are rotated in unison. Each worm wheel 25 is provided with a worm 29, there being two worms for the lower end and two for the upper end of the rear table section i5 of the table 4, one for each of the mounting posts. The lower end worms 29 are keyed to a cross shaft 3l) and the upper end worms 29 are keyed to a cross shaft 3l, these shafts being journalled in brackets 32 and 33 respectively. In order to impart a simultaneous and uniform rotation to the cross shafts 3D and 3|, shaft 3! is provided adjacent each of its ends with beveled gears 34 and 35 which are shown in Figure 4. Gear 34 meshes with a bevel gear 3B attached to an operating shaft 31. and gear 35 meshes with a bevel gear 38 attached toa jack shaft 39 extending lengthwise of the machine, shown in Figure 3, connecting cross shafts 30 and 3l by a bevel gear 49 attached to its lower end. This gear 40 meshes with a bevel gear 4I attached to shaft 39. The operating shaft 31 extends to the front of the machine as shown in Figure 2, being connected through universal joints 42 and 43. A crank 44 is provided for rotation of the shaft 31. Upon rotation of shaft 31 coincidental rotation is effected in each of the mounting posts 22. As the mounting posts rotate in their threaded bushings, the rear table section I6 and gauge bar 5 are raised or lowered in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the carriage 3.

In order to provide for adjustment of the rear table section I6 and the gauge bar 5 along a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the carriage 3 to adjust the clearance between the gauge bar 5 and the band knife I9, as discussed above, the following mechanism is provided, shown in Figures 3 and 4. Referring first to Figure 3, a pair of mounting brackets 45 (one being shown in Figure 3) are secured to the base plate I8 adjacent to each side thereof and depend therebelow. Each of these brackets carries a threaded bushing 46 which is fixed to the bracket 45. Each bushing 48 receives the threaded end of a shaft 41 which is mounted in bearings 43 provided in a bracket 49 secured to mounting plates 21 for the adjustable mounting posts previously described. In order to impart motion to shafts 41 each has keyed to it a worm wheel 59 which meshes with a cooperating worm 5I keyed to a cross shaft 52 extending across the machine. Upon rotation of the cross shaft 52 the worms 5l rotate the worm wheels 50 and impart rotary motion to the shafts 41 causing the bushings 46 to travel along the threaded portions of their operating shafts l41 and thus moving the rear table section I6 in a direction along the axis of the shafts 41 and parallel to the path of movement of the carriage 3. In order to provide for smooth and accurate movement of the section I3, each mounting plate 21 is received within gibs 53 and 54, the latter gib being adjustable in a conventional manner. The gibs 53 and 54 are attached to the base plate I8 and guide its movement along the mounting plates 21. Similar gibs are provided for the lower pair of mounting plates 21, four of which mounting plates are provided for the table section I5, as previously described.

Convenient rotation of cross shaft 52 from the front of the machine, as shown in Figure 2, is provided by an operating shaft 55 which is connected through universal joints 55 and 51 to a spiral gear 58 which is keyed to operating shaft 55. This spiral gear operates in mesh with a similar gear 59 keyed to an extension 55 of cross shaft 52. The shaft section 50 is connected to the cross shaft 52 through universal joints 5I and 52. The crank 44 which is used to rotate operating shaft 31 of the table-elevating mechanism may be used to rotate operating shaft 55.

Thus it will be seen that upon rotation of the crank 44 connected to operating shaft 55 simultaneous rotation will be imparted to the worms 5I, rotating the vworm wheels 50 attached to shafts 41 ;.and upon suchrotation of shafts 41,

` the table section I6 will slide in the gibs 53 and 54 moving along the direction of travel of the carriage 3 to bring the gauge bar 5 into proper longitudinally adjusted position with respect to the cutting edge of the band knife I9.

The front section I1 of the supporting table is similar in construction to the rear section I6. It consists principally of a series of rollers E3 which are mounted on a base plate 64 in journal plates 65 .which are disposed in spaced relationship on opposite sides of the base plate. The front section I1 is normally disposed in the position shown in Figure 2, but in order to permit the upper. section to be moved away from the cutting knife assembly to permit the operator to make adjustment on the knife guiding jaws, the upper section is made movable from the position shown in Figure 3 to an advanced position away from the band knife severing mechanism. The base plate 54 of the upper section I1 is constructed so as to slide in ways 66 and 61, guided by gibs 68 and 59 of which gib 69 is adjustable. This is clearly illustrated in Figures 2 and 5, the gibs and ways being shown particularly in the latter gure. The Ways 65 and 61 are supported by cross girder 1 at the front of the machine, and another cross girder 10 is disposed to the rear thereof and connected to the cross girder 1 byA connecting girders 1I. The ways 66 and 61 are inclined as seen in Figure 2 and are disposed parallel to the path of travel of the carriage 3. The front table section I1 is held in its normal position as shown in Figure 3 by a pair of stops 12 and 13 which, as shown in Figure 5, are attached to the base plate 64 and depend therebelow, engaging the ends of the ways 66 .and 61 and arresting movement of the front table section I1 toward the band knife assembly.

Forward movement of the carriage 3 may be employed to slide the front table section I1 to its inoperative position. Referring again to Figures 2 and 5, there is shown on the front table section I1 a dog 14 attached to the journal plate B5 and pivoted at 15. A stop 1B is attached to the journal plate 65 and limits movement of the dog 14 about its pivot 15. An actuating rod 11 is pivoted to the dog 14 at point 18, and the rod extends to Vthe front of the machine where it terminates in a handle 19, shown in Figure 2, for convenient grasp by the machine operator. The dog 14 is shown in inoperative position in Figure 2. In moving the front table section I1 by the carriage 3, the operator pulls handle 19 outwardly, thus rotating the dog 14' about its pivot 15 until stop 19 is engaged by a projecting ear of the dog. This brings finger 8I of the dog 14Vinto the path of movement of carriage 3 as it moves from its lower position shown in Figure 3 to its upper position shown in Figure 2. Thus when the dog 1-4 is so actuated, the carriage 3 will movethe upper table section I1 along its ways. Inorder to hold the upper table section in its inoperative position and permit the return of the carriage 3 to the position shown in Figure 3 so that the operator may work in the cleared area about the band knife, a pivoted latch 82 which is similar to the dog 14 is provided on the front frame member 19 as shown in Figure 5. An actuating -rod terminating in a handle 83 extends to the side of the machine. The latch is shown in inoperative position in `Figure 5. When the handle 83 is pulled-out by the machine operator, the latch 82 is rotated about pivot 84 which brings a nger 85 of the latch 82 into a position above the lower surface of the base plate k|54 of the table section il and thus the latch arrests any movement of the upper table section from its inoperative position until the latch is released, but the latch will not prevent movement of the carriage 3, 4which may be returned to its lower position as shown in Figure 3, and the operator will have access to the band knife severing mechanism.

As shown in Figure 3 the gauge bar 5 is preferably rectangular in section and extends across the full width of the table to fully support the material as it is fed to the knife i9. The bar is relatively narrow, and thus there is very little frictional drag as the mat moves over it. It is of suflicient width, however, to fully support the mat. The gauge bar will lie with its upper edge parallel with the upper, generally horizontal run of the band knife but in a plane therebelow, the distance between the upper surface of the gauge bar and the cutting edge of the band knife in its horizontal run determining the thickness of the sheet which is severed.

The reciprocating carriage The carriage 3 receives the mat to be sliced and feeds it to the band knife. The mat is pressed firmly against the table and particularly the gauge bar to insure a true cut and a severed sheet of uniform thickness.

The carriage is in the form of a rectangular box open at the bottom and provided at the top with a removable closure which presses the mat disposed within the carriage against the table and gauge bar. The front wall of the carriage is in the nature of a gate which may be elevated, and the mat to be sliced may be inserted through the opening provided when the gate is lifted. The carriage is reciprocated over the table, and a sheet is severed on each stroke of the carriage.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 which illustrate the carriage 3, it is fabricated from channels and includes a rear channel 86 and two side channels 8"! and 88. A front channel gate 89 is provided which is arranged to slide in guides 90 on the side channels 81 and 88 as indicated in Figure 3. This permits the gate 89 to be elevated for feeding of the machine and discharge of the thin scrap portion of the mat which remains at the .completion of slicing of each mat.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 4, the carriage 3 is mounted on four pairs of rollers 0|, 92, 93, and 3A, one pair being provided on each corner of the carriage and each pair being carried by supporting brackets attached to the carriage. Tracks S5 and 96 are welded to the longitudinally inclined frame members l0, The tracks are provided with one rail 91 and a second rail 98 upon which ride the rollers lll- 94 as will be vseen in Figure e. The tracks 95 and -96 extend over the table 4 and are parallel with it. By having two rails on the tracks as shown, the carriage will follow a true course without lateral sway.

The carriage is reciprocated by a pair of hydraulic rams 99 and |00 (Figure 1) connected to the side frames I0. The rams include pistons and piston rods |0| and |02 (Figure 4) which are connected to the carriage 3 by brackets |03 and ist secured on opposite sides of the carriage. Upon the forward stroke O f the pistons, the carriage is moved along the tracks 95 and 96 to the position shown in Figure 2; and upon the rearward stroke of the pistons, the carriage is `re- 8 turned along the tracks to the position shown in Figure 3.

The action of the rams 99 and 00 is controlled by actuation of a control Valve |05 mounted on side frame |0 as shown in Figure 4. The valve has an upper actuating finger |05 and a lower actuating finger |01. The carriage has trippers |08 and |09 mounted adjustably in 'brackets |08 and |09', the forward tripper |08 being engageable with finger |06 and the rear tripper |09 being engageable with finger |01. The tripper |00 rotates the control valve |05 to cause the hydraulic rams 99 and |00 to force the pistons |0| and |02 forwardly to move the carriage through its cutting stroke; and, upon completion of that stroke, the tripper |09 reverses the valve causing the hydraulic rams and |00 to force the pistons |0| and |02 rearwardly, effecting the return stroke of the carriage. The adjustable trippers 508 and |09 provide for adjustment of the positions at which the direction of travel of the carriage is reversed. This will depend upon the length of the mat being split into sheets. The operation of the hydraulic system will be more fully hereinafter described.

A pressure plate I0 is slidable within the carriage frame 86-89 and applies sufficient weight to the mat to be split to hold it firmly in engagement with the table 4 and gauge bar `5 during splitting. The plate ||0 carries four posts |I| adjacent to its corners, these posts being connected together and braced as shown in Figure 1. The posts have mounted on them a pair of cross bars 2 and I3 by which the plate may be elevated to facilitate charging and discharging of the carriage. The pressure plate lli) carries a switch control arm or trip H5 which is mounted on cross bar i |2. The switch control arm, which is adjustable as shown in Figure 2, is positioned so as to engage roller ||6 of a normally closed microswitch ||1 as the carriage moves to its forward position after having severed the nal slice from the mat. The microswitch Il? is thus opened and prevents further movement of the carriage in either direction, as will be described in connection with the description of the hydraulic system which operates the carriage. The pressure plate ||0 is shown in an elevated position in Figure 3 and in a lowered position in Figure 5 with the switch control arm 5 in engagement with the roller H6 of microswitch Hl.

The pressure exerted by plate I0 on a block of material in carriage 3 is even over the entire surface of the block. Moreover, the squared end 0f such a block which is rectangular in character abuts against the inside of rear channel 86 so that at all times the block approaches the split- .ting knife I9 squarely and under a uniform feeding pressure.

Gate 89 is provided with a cross bar ||8 'by which it may be raised and lowered. Elevation 1s preferably effected simultaneously with raising of the pressure plate I0 to permit removal of the thin portion of the mat which remains at the completion of slicing of each mat and insertion of a new mat for splitting. The cross bar ||8 is mounted on uprights I9 and |20 attached to gate 89 (Figure 4) Elevation of the pressure plate H0 and the end gate 89 is effected through -a pair of hydraulic rams |2| mounted on the side frames |0. one on each side of the machine near the front end, one being seen in Figure 2, and the one on the opposite side of the machine being similar in construction. Therefore, only one will be described. The piston rod |22 of the ram |2| has mounted upon it a lifting angle |23 which extends along the table of the machine a distance sufficient to receive the lateral ends of the cross bars ||2 and H3 of the pressure plate ||0 and the cross bar ||8 of the end gate 89 when the carriage 3 is at the end of its forward stroke. Guide bars |24 and |25 are welded to the lifting angles |23 and slide in pairs of bearings |26 attached to the side frame member I0.

The rams |2| are actuated upon completion of the severance of each block; and, upon upward movement of the piston rods |22, angles |23 on opposite sides of the machine engage the cross bars ||2 and ||3 of the pressure plate ||0 and the cross bar ||8 of the end gate 819 and lift them, thus opening the end gate and elevating the pressure plate. The mat scrap is removed and a new mat is inserted. The pistons are reversed and the lifting angles are lowered, bringing the pressure plate into engagement with the top of the mat to be severed and closing the end gate. As will be seen by reference to Figure the lifting angles |23 will normally lie below the cross bars on the pressure plate and end gate when the pistons of the rams |2| are in lowered position, even though the pressure plate .be in its lowermost position and the end gate fully closed, permitting ample clearance for the carriage in its travel back :and forth over the table during sheet splitting.

A safety trip |21 is carried by lifting angle |23 as shown in Figure 2 and actuates a normally open switch |28 which must be closed before movement of the carriage can be effected. The lifting mechanism must be in its lowered position, clear of the carriage, before the switch will be so closed. This switch is also connected into the electrical control of the hydraulic system and its functioning will be further described.

Safety stops |29 are mounted on the carriage side members 81 and 8B in the path of downward movement of the cross bars ||2 and ||3 (see Figure l) and serve to limit such downward movement to prevent the pressure plate l0 from extending below the bottom of the carriage where it might come into contact with the cutting knife. Figure 5 shows the relative positions of stop |29 and cross bar ||3 with plate ||0 adjacent its lowermost position.

The band knife severing mechanism This assembly may be of the generally conventional type as shown in Figure 6 including a pair of pulleys |30| 3| over which band knife |9 is trained. The knife |9 is guided in its upper horizontal run by an adjustable guide |32, the upper surface |33 of which (Figure 3) is inclined at the same angle as the table 4 and particularly the upper surface of the gauge bar 5. Thus the surface |33 lies in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the upper surface of gauge bar 5 and substantially in the plane of the splitting edge of knife I9 and of the bearing surface of front table section or bed I1. The knife is guided at least throughout the extent of the width of the mat to be severed as indicated by the dotted lines |34 in Figure 6. This insures that the knife will run along a straight path as it severs each sheet from the mat. The workengaging cutter guide is more fully illustrated and described in the copending application of Henry M. Yohn, one of the present inventors, Serial No. 123,663, led October 26, Y1949. With a cork composition mat in the form of a rectangular block 6" thick by 28"- x 50", the guided portion of the knife will be at least 28" and preferably 30 from edge to edge, as indicated at |34. The lower surface |35 of the guide is inclined as shown in Figure 3 and provides clearance for the sliced sheet to pass below onto an inclined platform |36, shown in Figure 2. The sheets slide down this platform and may be deposited into a tote box or onto a conveyor for inspection and packing or further fabrication. The platform is removable to permit access to the band knife assembly when the front table section |1 is moved forward.

Figure 2 shows a motor |31 which drives the band knife through conventional driving connections.

The hydraulic system A schematic hydraulic system layout for the carriage reciprocating mechanism and the holddown plate and end gate lifting mechanism is shown in Figure 7. The systemincludes a constant speed motor |31 connected toa doubleacting hydraulic pump |38 including two feed lines |39 and |40, the line |39 being fed at a higher pressure than line |40. A supply tank |4| has been diagrammatically illustrated and is connected to a suction line |4I to the pump. In the diagram the return lines to the tank |4| have been indicated by the conventional symbol; in actual construction the return of exhausted hydraulic fluid will be to the tank |4|.

In the piping diagram of Figure 7 the hydraulic rams 99 and |00 of the carriage reciprocating mechanism and the hydraulic rams |2| of the lifting mechanism have been shown conventionally. The reversing valve |05 and its operating fingers and the actuating trippers |08 and |09 have been shown similarly.

The main feed line |39 from the pump |38 includes a check valve |42. The supply of fluid from main feed line |39 is controlled by a manually operated valve |43 which is connected to the main feed line |39 by a branch line |44. An operating control handle |45 is provided which, in the solid line position, closes the valve |43 to the return to tank |4| through line |46. When the control handle |45 is in the dotted line position, the line |46 to the tank is opened and hydraulic fluid from the pump |38 fed through line |39 is by-passed and returned directly to the tank |4|. With the control handle |45 in solid line position, hydraulic fluid will flow through the line |39 to an automatic stop valve |41 which is connected electrically with the control mechanism for the operation of the machine, including the switch actuated by its tripper ||5 on the hold-down plate H0, switch |28 actuated by its tripper |21 on the elevating mechanism for the hold-down plate and end gate, and a manual push button starting switch |48 at the front of the machine as shown in Figure 2. Automatic stop valve |41 includes a solenoid |49 which is normally de-energized and in such position renders the valve |41 operative to return hydraulic fluid directly to the tank |4| through line |50. Upon energization of the solenoid |39 from a source 0f current S, which will occur only if the manual push button switch |59 is closed by the operator, normally open switch |28 is closed by proper lowering of the elevating mechanism for the hold-down plate and end gate, and normally closed switch I l1 is held in closed position by proper elevation of the hold-down plate; valve |41 will be closed and hydraulic fluidVY then -will flow through line |39 (being blocked to return ii lines |46 and |50 by valves |43 and I l) to a three-way valve |5|k through line |52. This valve |5| is controlled by the reversing control v'alv'e |05. The valve |05 receives its hydraulic pressure from the pump |38 through a control line |53.- y

A branch line |54 is connected to line |53 and lis effective for applying hydraulic pressure against the actuating spring of control valve |151. Thus the solenoid |49 works against the control line pressure, and when energized, pressure in line |54 moves valve |01 from its normal position where it connects return line |50 to tank |4| to supply line |39Wfor the luy-passing 'of hydraulic fluid to a position where fluid flows from line |39 to control valve |5|.

Reversing control valve |05 includes ports |55 and |56 anda return port |51. Port |55 is connected by line |58 to one side of three-way valve |5| and port |55 is connected by line |55 to the opposite side of the *valve |5|. When the reversing valve is in the position shown in Figure 1, the cutting stroke has been completed and the pistons and |02 of the hydraulic rams 39 and |00 which have moved the carriage 3 to its forward position are about to be moved to the left in Figure 1 to returnthe carriage 3 to its rear position for the next cutting stroke. ln this position ,of the reversing control valve |05, hydraulic fluid from the source Ui! is fed by the pump |38 through the line |53 and through the valve |05 tothe line |58. This positions valve |5| so that hydraulic uid from the lines |33 and |52 passes through lines |60|3| into the ports |62 and |63 of the hydraulic rams 03 and |00.

In order to accelerate the return stroke of the carriage, we provide an arrangement for feeding a large volume of hydraulic fluid to the pistons IBI-|02. This arrangement is shown in Figure 7 and includes the feed line |40 which is controlled by manual control valve |54 which, when in the neutral position which is shown in solid lines, permits the flow of hydraulic -fluid through check valve |65 and into line |33 which is interconnected with the line |5|. Thus additional volume of hydraulic uid is supplied in this manner .to accelerate the return of the carriage. In addition, as the pistons are moved to the left in rams 9 9 and |00, the Ahydraulic fluid exhausted through ports |61 and |08 is conveyed back by lineulES through a Checkrvalve |10 and line |1| interconnectedpwith line |52. Thus still further quantities of hydraulic iluid are fed into the ports |62 and |53,Vstill further accelerating the returnstroke ofthe carriage 3.7 l*yihepzn the carriage 3 moves to the left, the trip |08 will engage the finger |31, reversing the position. of the control valve |05 and starting the cutting stroke of the machine in which the carriage is moved to theprightas shown in Figure 1. lfphishis effected in the following manner: Hydraulic fluid flowing through line |53Y now passes through port |56V and line |59, reversing the position of valve |5| so that hydraulic fluid from the pump |38 is blocked bothto the return to the tank |4| and feed line |50 but ilows through line and check valve |10 into line '|55 and through ports |61 and |68 into the hydraulic rams 99 and |00, urging the pistons |0| and |02 to the right.

order to regulate the speed of the cutting stroke there is provided a bleeder valve |12 which is eliective for ley-passing a portion of the hydraulic fluid flowing through line IH, the bleeder valve |12 being interconnected with line |1| by l2 a line |13. The fluid bled through the bleeder 'valve |12 ows through a line |14 into line |00 and from there through valve |5| into line |15 back to the tank |4|.

lt will be noted from the foregoing description that during the return stroke of the rams 39 and |00 there is hydraulic fluid under pres'- sure acting against the pistons |0| and |02, being fed through ports |61 and |53. There exists, however, a differential in pressure application to the pistons due to the presence of the piston rods on the lower side of the pistons which decrease the effective areas of the pistons on their lower sides.

In order to prevent the carriage 3 from drifting downwardly along its inclined ways, the check valve |10 is provided with an adjustable spring arrangement |15 which is effective for applying a back pressure against which the hydraulic iluid passing through the line |69 must act. The mechanism |10 is adjusted in order to maintain the carriage against backward sliding movement when at rest.

There is a differential pressure existing between the lines |30 and |40, for greater pressure is required on the cutting stroke of the carriage than on the return stroke, and in order to prevent feed-back from the pump through the line |39 and its connecting lines into the line |40 and its connecting line, the check valve |65 is provided.

To provide a constant minimum pressure in the control line |53, the check valve N2 is ernployed which insures that sufficient pressure is built up in the line |53 before pressure is devel-2 oped in the line |39 beyond the check valve |42.

Considering now the mechanism for lifting the end gate 89 and the pressure plate mechanism including thekplate ||0, it will be observed by reference to Figure 7 that this operation is controlled by the manual valve |64. It is 'shown in neutral position in solid lines in Figure '1 where it controls the supply of uid to 'the rams 99 and |00, in an elevating position for the rams |2| in dotted lines, and in lowering position for the rams |2| in chain lines. When the Vcor'itrol handle |11 of the valve |64 is moved to the dotted line position, hydraulic fluid will now 'from line |40, into valve |60, and through a line |18 into the ports IN1-|80 which will cause the 'pis'- tons |22 of the hydraulic rams |2| to rise, thus elevating the mechanism which lifts the gateand moves the pressure plate H0 to a .position where a new block can be inserted. When the elevating mechanism moves upwardly, tripper |21 will be moved away from switch |28 and it will open the circuit for solenoid valve IEE) and the carriage cannot be moved so long as the switch remains open. Upon completion of the elevation and insertion of anew block, the control handle |11 may be moved to the chain line position shown in Figure '1; and, thereupon, lthe hydraulic fluid'from the line |40 will pass through the valve |64, `through a line ISI, and into the ports |82 and |83 causing the pistons |22 of the rams |2| 'to move downwardly to their lowered position. Thereupon, the trip y|21 will close switch |28 and the carriage may be puit into operation. y

From the foregoing it will be 'clear that the operation of the machine the operator rst elevates the end gate 'and the pressure 'plate :mechanism, inserts the block or mat, lowers 'the pres'- sure plate and end gate mechanism into position and then moves the "control handle '|31 to 13 tral position. The operator then pushes switch |48 to close the circuit from source S to solenoid valve |49 which will be energized since switches |28 and ||1 will be closed because the pressure plate will be in elevated position by engagement with the mat in the carriage and the elevating mechanism will be in its lowered position. Thereupon, the operator closes control valve |43 and brings the carriage to its rear position, ready to start the cutting cycle which is effected automatically upon engagement of the trip |08 with the finger |01 of control valve |05. The carriage is then reciprocated in an up-and-down manner along its inclined path until the switch ||1 is actuated by the trip H5; whereupon, the solenoid |49 for the valve |41 is de-energized and the supply of hydraulic uid to the reciprocating pistons |0| and |02 is discontinued, being bypassed through valve |41 to tank |4| through return line |50. Thereupon, the operator moves the control valve operating handle |11 to the elevating position; the end gate and pressure plate mechanism are elevated; and the entire operation is repeated. It is unnecessary, however, to actuate control valve |43 unless it is desired to shut down the machine and restart it later. Switch |48, however, is preferably of the type which automatically opens upon any break in the supply of current from source S and must be reset after each break in the current supply.

Although We have illustrated a preferred practice and embodiment of the machine of this invention, it will be understood that changes in the details and arrangements may :be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

l. In a splitting machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage vadapted to move a block of material therewith, a bed along which said carriage travels while said block movably engages said bed, means for pressing said block -against said bed during travel of said carriage, a moving knife positioned across said bed in the path 0f travel of said block and adapted to split a sheet of material from said block, means for driving said reciprocating carriage, and means controlled by said pressing means for stopping said carriage when said block has been reduced to a predetermined thickness, said means comprising a control device mounted upon said machine in the path of travel of an actuator for said control device carried by said pressing means.

2. In a splitting machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage adapted to move a block of material therewith, a bed along which said carriage travels while said block movably engages said bed, means for pressing said block against said bed during travel of said carriage, means for adjusting the length and position of the feeding and return strokes of said carriage relative to said bed, means for -automatically reversing the direction of travel of said carriage upon reaching the predetermined end of each stroke, a moving knife positioned across said bed in the path of travel of said block and adapted to split a sheet of material from said block, means for driving said reciprocating carriage, and means controlled by said pressing means for stopping said carriage when said block has been reduced to a predetermined thickness, said means comprising a control device mounted upon said machine in the path of travel of an actuator for saidcontrol device carried by said pressing means.

3. In a splitting machine, in combination, a

reciprocating carriage having sides which substantially define an enclosure for a block of material, a bed positioned immediately beneath and parallel to the plane of movement of said carriage, said carriage adapted to cause said block to move over said bed in movable engagement therewith, a plate fitting into said enclosure and adapted to be moved by said carriage while pressing said block against said bed, an endless moving band knife positioned across said bed and projecting into the path of travel of said block, said knife being adapted to split sheets of predetermined thickness from said block on each feeding stroke of said carriage, means for lifting said plate to facilitate the removal of the remainder of said block when it has beenreduced by such splitting to a predetermined thinness, a common hydraulic system for reciprocating said carriage and for actuating said means for lifting said plate, a normally open switch in said system, and a trip on said means for lifting said plate adapted to hold said switch closed except when said means for lifting said plate are actuated, whereby the reciprocation of said carriage is prevented during actuation of said plate-lifting means.

4. In a splitting machine, in combination, a carriage adapted to reciprocate in an inclined plane and to contain a block of cork composition or the like, said carriage being open on the underside thereof, a sectional supporting surface positioned adjacent said underside of said carriage and adapted to supportably engage said block during the movement thereof causedby said carriage, a moving endless band knife positioned between the sections of said supporting surface and across the path of travel of said block, said band knife having a cutting edge projecting a predetermined distance into said path of travel and adapted to cut a sheet of predetermined thickness from said block during each feeding stroke of said carriage, hydraulic rams for driving said carriage, a reversing hydraulic valve connected to said rams, trips adjacent the respective ends of said carriage for successively engaging said valve to reverse the direction of movement of said carriage, a pressure plate to maintain engagement between the underside of said block and said supporting surface, a trip attached to said pressure plate, and a switch actuated by said trip, said switch being adapted to interrupt the iiow of hydraulic iiuid to said hydraulic rams and stop said carriage at the end of its feeding stroke when said block is reduced to a desired thinness by theY splitting of sheets therefrom.

5. In a splitting machine, the combination of a travelling band knife having a substantially straight run, an antifriction supporting table comprising a plurality of rollers which provide a bearing surface for supporting a block to be split and along which said block may be moved in a fixed plane of movement into severing relationship with said band knife, a gauge bar having an upper supporting surface in the plane of movement of said block over said supporting table, means for simultaneously moving said table and gauge bar with respect to said band knife in a direction perpendicular to said plane of movement of said block, saidmeans comprising a table frame, mounting plates slidable in ways in said table frame, said ways being disposed to guide said table to move in a path substantially parallel to the plane of movement ofsaid block, threaded openings being provided in said mounting plates, threaded mounting posts received within said threaded openings, means for simultaneously ro-- tating said mounting posts to uniformly move said table and gauge bar in a direction perpen dicular to said plane of movement of said block, and means for sliding said table frame in Ways toward and away from said band knife.

6. In a splitting machine, the combination of a splitting knife, a table section for supporting a block to be split and along which said block may be moved in a fixed plane of movement into severing relationship with said splitting knife, a second table section for supporting said Iblock in its travel in said plane of movement from severing relationship with said splitting knife, a carriage for receiving said block and for carrying the same over said table sections, means for mounting said second table section for movement along the plane of movement of said block, means engageable With said carriage and said second table :section for moving said second table section with ,said carriage to separate said first and second `talole sections, and latching means for holding said second table section in separated position vWith respect to said first table section to provide access to said splitting knife disposed between said table sections.

7. In a splitting machine, the combination of `a splitting knife, an inclined supporting table along which a block to be split may be moved in a xed plane of movement into severing relationship with said splitting knife, a reciprocating carriage movable over said supporting table in an inclined path su'bstantiall;7 parallel to plans` of movement of said block for carrying said block back and forth upon said table for the severance of sheets from the block by said splitting knife, and a hydraulic rsystem for reciprocating said carriage, said system including a piston connected to said carriage and movable within a cylinder, lines yconnecting said cylinder with a source of fluid under pressure for moving said piston in said cylinder in opposite directions to reciprocate said carriage, a valve controlling the supply of fluid to said lines, means for holding said carriage against drifting down said inoline comprising a loaded check valve in the line through which iluid is discharged from said cylinder upon movement of said piston in a direction to permit movement Vof said carriage down said incline, and means 'for delivering to said piston fluid under a pressure which will overcome the loading of said check valve and move said carriage :down said incline.

8. In a splitting machine, the combination of a splitting knife, Aa supporting table upon which a 'block to .besplit may be moved into cutting relationship with said splitting knife, a reciprocating vcarriage movable over said supporting `tmle and comprising a frame open at the top and bottom and having a sliding Vend gate, a pressure plate received within the top opening of said carriage for holding said block disposed through the open bottom .of `said carriage in contact with said supporting table, a trackway upon which said carriage moves in its reciprocationy means projecting from the pressure plate and end gate on opposite sides of -the supporting table, lifting means disposed along the trackway vincluding-lifting members movable upwardly through a path which intersects the projecting Vmeans on the pressure `plate rand i end gate, and :means Afor moving :said lifting .members from :a position below said :projecting means into engagement with said projecting 'means :to an elevated position to permit the insertion E:of .ablock 'to be severed within 16 said carriage through the end gate and below the pressure plate.

9, In a splitting machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage movable in a fixed plane and having' sides which substantially define an enclosure open at the bottom thereof, said enclosure being adapted to contain and move a block of material inserted therein, a frame having Ways in which said carriage is mounted for reciprocation,v a iirst bed positioned beneath the bottom opening of said enclosure, a hearing surface on said first bed lyinrr substantially parallel to the plane of movement of said carriage for supporting said block in movable engagement therewith, an endless moving band knife positioned across said rst bed, with the splitting edge thereof esE tending a predetermined distance above the bearing surface or said first bed into the path of travel of said block, a gauge bar on said rst bed positioned immediately in advance of said splitting knife, said gauge oar ooacting with the splitting or said knife to determine the thickness of the sheets to be split from said block, supporting jaws for said splitting knife positioned across said first hed, the upper of said jaws having an outermoet upper surface lying in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the upper surface of said gauge bar and substantially in the plane of said splitting edge, means for adjusting said first bed and gauge bar in a direction normal to the plane said hearing surface to alter the thickness of the sheet to severed, a second bed disposed to the rear the splitting edge of said knife and positioned lbeneath said carriage, and a bearing surface on said second bed disposed substantially the pl ie of the splitting edge of said knife and substantially parallel to the plane of movement of carriage, said bearing surfaces offeri Ag substantially continuous support to said clock for a distance at least equal to the length of the block on each side of said splitting knife.

1G. In a splitting machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage having sides which suhstantiailv deineen enclosure for a block of material, a frame in which said carriage mounted on ways for reciprocation, a bed positioned imme: ately beneath and parallel to the path of movement of said carriage, said bed adapted to have said block rest thereon in movable engagement therewith during reciprocation of said carriage, one of the sides of said carriage transverse to the direction of travel of said carriage comprising a gate, lift-engaging means on said gate projecting beyond the ends of said gate over said frame, lifting members positioned along the path of travel of said carriage on opposite sides of said frame and engageahle with said lift-engaging to lift said gate to permit insertion of a block into said enclosure upon movement of said block along' said bed, and means for actuating said lifting members when said lift-engaging means are in position to be engaged by said lifting members upon movement of said carriage on said ways to a predetermined position.

ll. In a splitting machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage having sides which substantially define an enclosure for a block of material, a frame in which said carriage is mounted on ways for reciproca-tion, a bed positioned immediately beneath and parallel to the path of movement of said carriage, said bed adapted to have said block rest thereon in movable engagement therewith, a plate itting into said enclosure and adapted to be moved by said carriage While resting on vsaid block to press ,the same against said bed, one of the sides of said carriage transverse to the direction of travel of said carriage comprising a gate, lift-engaging means on said gate projecting beyond the ends of said gate over said frame, lift-engaging means on said plate projecting beyond the carriage and over said frame, lifting members positioned along the path of travel of said carriage on opposite sides of said frame and engageable with said lift-engaging means to lift said gate and said pressure plate to permit insertion of a -block into said enclosure upon movement of said block along said bed, and means for actuating said lifting members when said lift-engaging means are in position to be engaged thereby upon movement of said carriage on said Ways to a predetermined position.

12. In a splitting machine, the combination of claim 9 in which said bearing surfaces are in the form of antifriction rollers.

13. In a splitting machine, in combination, a reciprocating carriage movable in a fixed plane and having sides which substantially dene an enclosure open at the bottom thereof, said enclosure being adapted to contain and move a block of material inserted therein, a first bed positioned beneath said carriage, a bearing surface on said first bed lying in an inclined plane substantially parallel to the plane of movement of said carriage for supporting said block in movable engagement therewith, an endless moving band knife positioned across the width of said rst bed and across the path of travel of said block, the splitting edge of said knife extending above said bearing surface into said path of travel, a second bed disposed to the rear of the splitting edge of said knife and positioned beneath said carriage in an inclined plane parallel to but offset from that of the first bed, a bearing surface on said second bed disposed substantially in the plane of the splitting edge of said knife and substantially parallel to the plane of movement of said carriage, jaws for supporting said band knife in its run across said rst bed, the upper of said jaws having a block-supporting upper surface lying substantially in the plane of the bearing surface of said second bed and cooperating With said bearing surface of said second bed to support said block as it is moved past said knife and a sheet is severed from said block, and a plate received within said carriage for movement by said carriage While resting en said block to press it against the bearing surfaces of said beds during travel of said carriage.

LOUIS H. LOCKWOGD.

HENRY M. YOHN.

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